These mouthwatering Better Than Takeout recipes are quick and easy to prepare. Even if you are short on time, you can have your takeout favorites for dinner faster than dialing a number + waiting for delivery.
I put together this list of mouthwatering recipes for all your takeout favorites from Thai to Chinese food and more. Soups, stir fries, noodles and finger food - they are all here. For most of these, preparation will probably not take any longer than waiting for delivery. Plus, homemade is usually tastier and healthier!
To get to the recipes, simply click through from the images or titles below. Also, please don't forget to pin the title image up top, so you can refer back to these takeout recipes when the cravings hit.
Jump to:
- FAQ
- Better than Takeout Pad Thai
- Better Than Takeout Fried Rice Recipe
- Better Than Takeout Kung Pao Chicken
- TOM KHA GAI - Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
- Thai Basil Chicken
- KHAO SOI - Coconut Curry Soup
- Better Than Takeout Cashew Chicken Stir Fry
- Thai Peanut Curry
- Better than Takeout Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Teriyaki Shrimp Noodles
- Orange Cauliflower Stir Fry Recipe
- Thai Spring Rolls
- Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken
- Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry
- Thai Peanut Noodle Salad
- Thai Mango Sticky Rice Dessert
- Iced Thai Milk Tea
- Random Questions
FAQ
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about takeout recipes
Fried rice is often seasoned with turmeric which gives it that distinctive yellow color.
The best takeout food is of course the kind you make yourself at home. That is the only way you can know and control the ingredients as well as nutritional value of your meals. And whether you decide to cook it yourself or order in, choose recipes with a larger amount and variety of fresh vegetable.
They key to non mushy fried rice is in starting with cold rice. Use either cooked rice from the previous day, or be sure to cook some rice earlier and refrigerate until full chilled.
Better than Takeout Pad Thai
This is THE BEST Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe! I learned it in a cooking class in Chiang Mai. The gluten free noodle stir fry tastes just as amazing as on the streets of Thailand.
Better Than Takeout Fried Rice Recipe
This delicious Thai Pineapple Fried Rice with cashews is baked inside a carved pineapple for a unique tropical twist and extra juicy pineapple flavor. This vegetarian meal can also be served with a protein of choice. It can be made gluten free by choosing Tamari instead of soy sauce.
Better Than Takeout Kung Pao Chicken
This quick & easy Kung Pao Chicken is on the table in 20 minutes! This popular takeout dish is even better-tasting at home.
TOM KHA GAI - Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
Tom Kha Gai - Thai Chicken Coconut Soup is one of the most popular Thai dishes. Galangal root, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves are infused in a coconut milk broth, with chicken, mushrooms and hot chilies. The aromatic soup makes a delicious main course served alongside steamed rice.
Thai Basil Chicken
Thai Basil Chicken Stir Fry is a quick and easy dish that is incredibly flavorful. Served alongside steamed rice it's perfect for weeknight dinners - much better and faster than take-out.
KHAO SOI - Coconut Curry Soup
This is an easy recipe for Khao Soi - a Northern Thai Coconut Curry Soup with Egg Noodles and Chicken. It is an amazingly balanced dish with spicy, sweet, creamy, and crispy elements
Better Than Takeout Cashew Chicken Stir Fry
This delicious recipe for Thai Cashew Chicken Stir Fry is super quick to make and delivers big time on authentic Asian flavors. It is perfect for easy, weeknight dinners.
Thai Peanut Curry
This Thai peanut curry includes chicken, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers enveloped in a fragrant and savoury peanut sauce. Serve a comforting bowl of this curry with some jasmine rice and a garnish of fresh cilantro, crushed peanuts, and black sesame seeds for a restaurant-worthy home-cooked meal. Turn it into a vegan Thai peanut curry with just a few simple swaps.
Better than Takeout Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Stir fry's are perfect for when dinner has to be quick on a weeknight. This flavorful Broccoli Beef Stir Fry comes together in 30 minutes or less (including marinating time).
Teriyaki Shrimp Noodles
This teriyaki shrimp recipe is a fast and flavourful dish to make on a weeknight. It includes fast-cooking capellini noodles, broccoli florets, and shrimp all bundled up in a sweet and savoury teriyaki sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic and more.
Orange Cauliflower Stir Fry Recipe
This Orange Cauliflower Stir Fry is a vegetarian version of Orange Chicken takeout. A recipe for delicious meatless takeout meal with cauliflower and red bell pepper made quick and easy at home. Don't forget to top it with sliced green onion and sesame.
Thai Spring Rolls
This Thai spring rolls recipe is just what you need for party appetizers at any time of year. They have a crispy exterior and are filled with glass noodles and veggies - including bean sprouts, carrot, and baby corn. Especially dipped in the Thai sweet chili sauce, these are a guaranteed hit.
Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken
This easy Orange Chicken recipe is perfect to get your takeout fix in a healthier way. Crispy chicken pieces and bell pepper are tossed in a fragrant honey orange sauce with aromatic minced fresh ginger and garlic cloves.
Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry
This easy chicken teriyaki stir fry includes high protein chicken breast with a flavourful homemade teriyaki sauce. Once ready, simply serve with broccoli and rice for a complete meal any night of the week.
Thai Peanut Noodle Salad
This Thai Peanut Noodle Salad is a flavourful combination of noodles, brightly coloured veggies, peanuts, cilantro, green onions, and optional chicken. The peanut dressing that coats everything hits on all of the traditional Thai flavour points of sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy, making it truly addictive as well as healthy. Take up the heat level with Sriracha sauce or red pepper flakes.
Thai Mango Sticky Rice Dessert
This Mango Sticky Rice recipe is a popular Thai dessert made from glutinous rice and coconut milk, served with sweet mango. This delicious treat is gluten free and my version also is refined sugar free. You can also use glutinous brown rice.
Iced Thai Milk Tea
This refreshing Thai Iced Tea with Milk is perfect to accompany a spicy Thai food dinner. This homemade recipe uses palm sugar and coconut milk in place of evaporated and sweetened condensed milk to make it dairy free and vegan.
Random Questions
Making takeout recipes at home allows you to control the ingredients, customize flavors, and it can be quicker than waiting for delivery.
The key to non-mushy fried rice is to start with cold rice. Use either leftover rice from the previous day or cook rice and refrigerate it until fully chilled.
Homemade takeout recipes often use fresher ingredients and allow you to control the level of oil and other additives, making them a healthier choice.
Turmeric is often used to season fried rice, giving it the distinctive yellow color.
The best takeaway food is the kind you prepare at home. This way, you can choose fresh and healthy ingredients, control the nutritional value, and enjoy homemade meals with a variety of fresh vegetables.
Ann | Created To Cook
A bottle of Fish Sauce and a curious toddler is a DANGEROUS combination. I know from experience... But what else can you do but laugh about it?!? If it ever happens again. Try cleaning with an it a vinegar and water to help get rid of the smell... White vinegar has a magical way of neutralizing oders. But back to the food.... I can't wait to give some of these recipes a try... Yum!!!
Regina
Thanks for the vinegar tip, Ann. Will have to keep this in mind in case of a next time 😉
Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness
I love Chinese food. All the foods that you featured look so delicious.
Regina
Thanks very much Dawn!